News Scan

Rolling Stone Settles in Fake Rape Case: In November of 2014 the Rolling Stone article "A Rape on Campus" by Sabrina Erdely described how seven men attending a University of Virginia frat party gang raped a co-ed named "Jackie." T. Rees Shapiro of the Washington Post reports that the story went viral, making national headlines reinforcing the rich, arrogant, sexist, fratboy narrative which had previously fallen apart in the 2006 Duke Lacrosse case. Then a police investigation, and a separate one by the Columbia University School of Journalism, announced that "Jackie" had lied. No rape had occurred. Today, UVA fraternity Phi Kappa Psi settled its lawsuit with Rolling Stone for $1.65 million.

Two Prison Guards Killed During Escape: A manhunt is underway in Putnam County, Georgia after two inmates on a transport bus overpowered and killed two guards and fled. Fox News reports that both inmates are armed and are considered very dangerous. Both inmates had been serving time for armed robbery when they overpowered the guards and shot them with their own guns. A witness told police that the inmates were seen driving a dark green Honda.

CA Bill Reduces Sentences for Gun Crimes: The California Assembly Committee on Public Safety is considering a bill today that would eliminate the current sentence increase for criminals who use guns in the commission of felonies. As the Los Angeles Times reports, SB 620 by Senator Steven Bradford (D. Los Angeles), which passed out of the state senate last month, would make the 10 year enhancement for the use of a firearm during the commission of felonies including rape, robbery and carjacking optional with the judge. Supporters of the bill believe that removing the mandate will reduce racial disparities in sentencing. Virtually every state law enforcement and crime victims group opposes the bill.